Author: Sergio Miranda
I love the feel of sand slipping through my fingers. With a flat palm, I dragged my hand across the smooth surface, carving a makeshift path. I then used a stick to draw a traffic line down the center. From my pockets, I poured out die-cast cars, letting them flow along the sand roads. Glancing up, I noticed Mom was still preoccupied, so I kept playing. The bulldozer toy began to dig deep and suddenly hit a lump beneath the surface. Curious, I dug deeper and uncovered a buried military jeep. My eyes lit up with happiness! I shook off the sand and added the jeep to my growing fleet. It zipped through the sand moguls, plowing effortlessly through obstacles and freeing the other cars to zoom across the sandy terrain. My smile stretched from ear to ear. I lined up all the cars, proudly placing the army jeep at the front. Then, I took my candy apple red Porsche 911 and buried it in the same spot where I had found the jeep. This game continued throughout the summer, with tow trucks replacing delivery vans and Corvettes being swapped for police cars—all traded in that hidden sand lot.
Similarly, finding membership in the Knights of Columbus is like discovering a buried treasure in the sand. The surprising joy can be found in every coat given, every bed constructed, and every pancake served. Joining the largest fraternal Catholic lay organization opens up a world bigger than ourselves, where we become part of 2 million Catholic men, all working for the good of our parish, community, and even the world. This powerful force can rebuild cities in Iraq, relieve Ukrainian families displaced by conflict, and serve communities devastated by natural disasters across our country. Our Catholic faith allows us to encounter Christ in everything we do and everyone we serve. Through Cor, the Order’s evangelization initiative, we surround ourselves with men who want to deepen their faith and find joy in their relationship with our Lord.
You don’t need to dig deep in the sand to find the joy that the Knights of Columbus offers. It’s here in your parish. It’s here online. This joy is available to all, but unlike toy cars, it’s big enough to fill our hearts for a lifetime. It’s a joy that’s meant to be shared with all Catholic men and their families.
I hope these words find you and your family well. May God continue to bless you, this country, and the Order!
Vivat Jesus!